Printing apparatus

Abstract

This invention provides a printing apparatus for automatically extracting printing masks from masks stored on shelves in a storage bin. The printing apparatus includes: a printing unit that prints solder paste onto a substrate using a mask with a predetermined printing pattern; a reading unit capable of reading codes assigned to masks stored on shelves in the storage bin, the storage bin having multiple shelves capable of storing masks; and a control unit that establishes a correspondence between the position of the coded shelf and the information indicated by the read code to generate mask information within the storage bin.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a printing apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a screen printing apparatus as follows: A control unit assigns layer information to a mask changing unit, which retrieves a mask (e.g., a screen mask or a metal mask) from the layer specified by the layer information in a magazine to the printing area. A camera acquires an image of the mask and outputs it to a mask recognition circuit. The control unit instructs the mask recognition circuit on the type of mask that should be stored in the aforementioned layer. The mask recognition circuit compares the data of the opening corresponding to the type of mask indicated by the control unit with the image from the camera and determines whether they match or do not match. If the determination result is a match, the mask for the printing area is interpreted as appropriate for printing; if the determination result is an inconsistency, the mask for the printing area is interpreted as inappropriate for printing.

[0003] Prior technology literature

[0004] [Patent Documents]

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-214747 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] In the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, in order to photograph the opening of the mask, the mask needs to be extracted from the storage layer to the printing area, and the type of mask cannot be identified while it is stored in the storage layer. Therefore, the method disclosed in Patent Document 1 cannot automatically extract the mask used for printing from the masks stored in the storage layers.

[0008] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a printing apparatus capable of automatically extracting a mask for printing from layers of masks stored in a storage compartment.

[0009] Solution for solving the problem

[0010] One aspect of the printing apparatus disclosed herein includes: a printing unit that prints solder paste onto a substrate using a mask having a predetermined printing pattern; a reading unit capable of reading a code assigned to the mask on a shelf stored in a storage compartment, the storage compartment having a plurality of shelves capable of storing the mask; and a control unit that establishes a correspondence between the position of the shelf whose code has been read and the information indicated by the read code to generate mask information within the storage compartment.

[0011] It should be noted that these inclusive or specific solutions can be implemented by systems, devices, methods, integrated circuits, computer programs, or recording media, or by any combination of systems, devices, methods, integrated circuits, computer programs, and recording media.

[0012] Invention Effects

[0013] According to this disclosure, the printing apparatus is capable of automatically extracting the mask to be used for printing from the masks stored in the storage compartment. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a printing apparatus equipped with a mask changer according to this embodiment.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a partial perspective perspective view of the printing apparatus of this embodiment.

[0016] Figure 3 This is a perspective side view of the printing apparatus of this embodiment.

[0017] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the housing in the mask changer of this embodiment.

[0018] Figure 5 This is a perspective side view of the housing in the mask changer of this embodiment.

[0019] Figure 6 This is a partial perspective perspective view showing the positions of the encoder reader and optical sensor in this embodiment.

[0020] Figure 7 This is a perspective view showing the position of the QR code in the mask of this embodiment.

[0021] Figure 8 This is a block diagram showing the control section of the printing apparatus in this embodiment.

[0022] Figure 9 This is a diagram illustrating an example of mask information within the storage compartment in this embodiment.

[0023] Figure 10 This diagram illustrates the relationship between the LED button and the first and second modes in this embodiment.

[0024] Figure 11 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing of the mask recognition unit in the first mode of this embodiment.

[0025] Figure 12 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing of the mask recognition unit in the second mode of this embodiment.

[0026] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0027] 11 Printing apparatus

[0028] 13 Printing Department

[0029] 15 Mask Changer

[0030] 17 Printing Section Cover

[0031] 19 LED buttons

[0032] 21. Substrate transport and holding section

[0033] 23. Shell

[0034] 25 Storage bays

[0035] 26 shelves

[0036] 27 Mask

[0037] 29. Opening

[0038] 31 Touch Panel

[0039] 33 Mask guide

[0040] 35 Mask holding section

[0041] 37 Print head

[0042] 39 scraper units

[0043] 41 Mask upper surface cleaner

[0044] 43 Gas blowing section

[0045] 45 Mask holding section lifting cylinder

[0046] 47 Working Cylinder

[0047] 49 Mask moving mechanism

[0048] 51 cameras

[0049] 53 Mask under-surface cleaner

[0050] 55 Tubular portion

[0051] 57 valve section

[0052] 59 Mobile Base

[0053] 61 Lifting Actuator

[0054] 63 Pull-out plate

[0055] 65 Elevator

[0056] 71. Mask through opening

[0057] 73 Lifting Body

[0058] 75 Lifting body support section

[0059] 77 Nut section

[0060] 79 Ball Screw

[0061] 81 Lifting Motor

[0062] 85 Optical Sensors

[0063] 86 QR codes

[0064] 87 Encoder Reader

[0065] 88 Unused areas

[0066] 89 Used Area

[0067] 93 Control Department

[0068] 95. Substrate transport and holding control unit

[0069] 97 Mask conveying setup control unit

[0070] 99 Printing Motion Control Department

[0071] 101 Filming Control Department

[0072] 102 Mask Recognition Unit

[0073] 103 Mask information within the storage bay

[0074] 105 Elevator Control Department

[0075] 107 Mobile base drive motor

[0076] 109 Scraper Base Drive Motor

[0077] 111 Scraper Lifting Drive Unit

[0078] KB substrate

[0079] Mgsp storage warehouse supply location

[0080] Mssp1 Mask Supply Location

[0081] Pst solder paste

[0082] SP interior space

[0083] SP1 Supply Space

[0084] SP2 workspace. Detailed Implementation

[0085] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings. However, sometimes more detailed descriptions than necessary are omitted. For example, detailed descriptions of well-known matters and repetitive descriptions of substantially the same structures are sometimes omitted. This is to avoid making the following description unnecessarily lengthy and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art. It should be noted that the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided for those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the subject matter of the technical solutions described herein.

[0086] (This implementation method)

[0087] <Structure of a Printing Apparatus>

[0088] Reference Figures 1 to 3 To illustrate the general outline of the printing apparatus 11. The printing apparatus 11 can also be read as a screen printing apparatus. Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the printing apparatus 11 equipped with a mask changer 15 according to this embodiment. Figure 2 This is a partial perspective perspective view of the printing apparatus 11 of this embodiment. Figure 3 This is a perspective side view of the printing apparatus 11 of this embodiment.

[0089] The printing apparatus 11 includes a printing section 13 and a mask changer 15.

[0090] Printing section 13 uses mask 27 to print onto substrate KB (see reference). Figure 2 The upper surface of the solder paste Pst is printed (refer to) Figure 2 Mask 27 can also be read as screen mask or metal mask. The printing section 13 has a printing section cover 17 covering the printing section 13 and a substrate transport and holding section 21. The substrate transport and holding section 21 transports the substrate KB and holds the substrate KB at the printing position.

[0091] The mask changer 15 is disposed adjacent to the rear of the printing unit 13, and feeds the mask 27 used in the printing unit 13 from the storage compartment 25 to the printing unit 13, or feeds the mask 27 used in the printing unit 13 from the printing unit 13 to the storage compartment 25. It should be noted that details about the mask changer 15 will be described later.

[0092] A reporting unit that generates an alarm sound in case of errors, such as those occurring in the printing section 13, may be provided on the upper part of the rear surface side of the housing 23 of the mask changer 15. The reporting unit may be a touch panel 31 equipped with, for example, an LED. However, the reporting unit is not limited to this and may also be other reporting mechanisms such as a light provided on, for example, the printing section cover 17 of the printing apparatus 11 or the housing 23.

[0093] Next, refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 This will be used to explain the internal structure of the printing apparatus 11.

[0094] In the printing unit 13, a mask guide 33 is provided above the substrate transport and holding unit 21. In the printing unit 13, a mask holding unit 35 is provided above the mask guide 33. Above the mask holding unit 35, a printing head 37, a squeegee unit 39, a mask upper surface cleaner 41, and a gas blowing unit 43 are provided. Furthermore, above the mask holding unit 35, two mask holding unit lifting cylinders 45 arranged along the left and right (X-axis direction) and four mask holding unit pressing cylinders 47 arranged in the front, back, left, and right directions are also provided.

[0095] Each of the two mask holding lifting cylinders 45 and each of the four mask holding pressing cylinders 47 are fixedly mounted on the vertical portion of the front-to-back direction guide portion (not shown) provided on the left and right sides of the mask guide 33. Furthermore, the two mask holding lifting cylinders 45 are respectively positioned above the middle portion of the two straight sections extending along the Y-axis of the mask holding portion 35. Additionally, the four mask holding pressing cylinders 47 are respectively positioned above or near the four corners of the mask holding portion 35.

[0096] Below the mask holding part 35, there is a mask moving mechanism 49, a camera 51, and a mask lower surface cleaner 53.

[0097] The gas blowing unit 43 functions as a mask cleaner to clean the upper surface of the mask 27 before it becomes soiled by the paste Pst during the printing process. Examples of times the mask 27 might become soiled by the paste Pst include before use of the mask 27 or before the initial supply of paste Pst to the mask 27. Above the mask guide 33 that transports the mask 27, the gas blowing unit 43 has a tubular portion 55 extending laterally (i.e., in the X-axis direction) approximately orthogonal to the transport direction (Y-axis direction) of the mask 27, and a valve portion 57 connected to one end of the tubular portion 55. The tubular portion 55 is provided across each of the two front-rear direction guides (not shown) at their respective rear ends.

[0098] The mask lower surface cleaner 53 is configured to move freely along the Y-axis in the area below the mask guide 33 via the mask lower surface cleaner guide (not shown). The mask lower surface cleaner 53 is connected to the moving base 59 of the mask moving mechanism 49 via a moving base connection (not shown), becoming integral with the moving base 59 and moving along the Y-axis to clean the lower surface of the mask 27. When not moving along the Y-axis via the moving base 59, the mask lower surface cleaner 53 is in a standby position located in front of the mask transport position (see reference). Figure 2 The mask lower surface cleaner 53 can move freely up and down relative to the mask guide 33 (i.e. relative to the mask 27 set in the transport position) via the lower surface cleaner lifting part (not shown) provided on the mask lower surface cleaner guide (not shown).

[0099] The mask moving mechanism 49 has the function of moving the mask 27 between the storage compartment 25 of the mask changer 15 and a predetermined mask transport position. Specifically, the mask moving mechanism 49 extracts the mask 27 stored in the storage compartment 25 and moves the mask 27 to a predetermined mask transport position within the printing section 13. Additionally, the mask moving mechanism 49 moves the mask 27 located at the predetermined mask transport position back (to be stored) in the storage compartment 25. The mask moving mechanism 49 includes a movable base 59 extending along the X-axis direction and an extraction plate 63 that can be freely raised and lowered by a lifting actuator 61 provided on the movable base 59. It should be noted that the mask moving mechanism 49 can also be read as a mask transport section that transfers the mask 27 from the storage compartment 25 to the printing section 13 (mask insertion) and transfers the mask 27 from the printing section 13 to the storage compartment 25 (mask ejection).

[0100] <Structure of Mask Changer>

[0101] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 5 To illustrate mask changer 15. Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the housing 23 in the mask changer 15 of this embodiment. Figure 5 This is a perspective side view of the housing 23 in the mask changer 15 of this embodiment. Figure 5 (a) is a perspective view of the housing 23 with the storage compartment 25 located in the working space SP2, which serves as the storage compartment supply location. Figure 5 (b) is a perspective view of the housing 23 with the storage compartment 25 located in the supply space SP1, which serves as the mask supply location.

[0102] The mask changer 15 comprises a housing 23, a storage compartment 25, a lift 65, and a touch panel 31. The lift 65 is an example of a moving part.

[0103] The storage compartment 25 has a generally rectangular shape with an opening in the front-to-back direction. Multiple shelves 26 arranged vertically are provided inside the storage compartment 25. Masks 27 are horizontally placed (stored) on each of the shelves 26. The storage compartment 25 stores various (multiple) different masks 27 corresponding to different types of substrates KB. Thus, the storage compartment 25 is a structure that allows the masks 27 to be stored and easily inserted / removed along the Y-axis.

[0104] The mask changer 15 has an opening 29 for the operator to perform the supply operation of the mask 27. The internal space SP of the housing 23 in the mask changer 15 is as follows: Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the upper space becomes the supply space SP1, and the lower space becomes the working space SP2.

[0105] The supply space SP1 is the space where the storage compartment 25 is located when the mask 27 stored in the storage compartment 25 is supplied to the printing section 13 through the mask opening 71. The work space SP2 is the space where the storage compartment 25 is located when the operator supplies the storage compartment 25 or one or more masks 27 stored in the storage compartment 25.

[0106] An opening 29 is formed at the location of the accessible working space SP2 within the housing 23. Additionally, a mask passage opening 71 is provided on the front surface side of the housing 23. The mask passage opening 71 is configured to communicate between the supply space SP1 and the interior of the printing section 13 (i.e., the interior of the printing section cover 17). Furthermore, the mask passage opening 71 is sized to allow the mask 27 to pass through in the front-to-back direction.

[0107] Figure 3 The mask moving mechanism 49 shown will be stored in any shelf 26 of the storage compartment 25 (see reference). Figure 6 and Figure 7 The mask 27 (referred to as the input mask) to be fed to the printing section 13 is pulled forward from the mask through the opening 71 and transported to the designated mask transport position. In addition, the mask moving mechanism 49 causes the mask 27 (referred to as the output mask) transported to the mask transport position to be stored in the (return) storage bin 25 (more specifically, any shelf 26 of the storage bin 25) through the opening 71.

[0108] The elevator 65 is configured to include: an elevator body 73 that is formed in a generally rectangular shape and supports the bottom surface of the storage compartment 25 from below; an elevator body support portion 75 that extends along the X-axis and supports the elevator body 73; a nut portion 77 provided on one end of the elevator body support portion 75; a ball screw 79 that is screwed into the nut portion 77 and extends in the vertical direction; and an elevator body lifting motor 81 that drives the ball screw 79 to rotate.

[0109] In the lifting platform 65, the ball screw 79 rotates in a predetermined direction due to the operation of the lifting motor 81, and the lifting support 75, which is integrally formed with the nut 77, rises and falls by this rotation. Thus, the lifting platform 65 moves the lifting body 73 connected to the lifting support 75 and the storage compartment 25 supported by the lifting body 73 between the supply space SP1 and the working space SP2. That is, the lifting platform 65 functions as a moving (lifting) mechanism for the storage compartment 25, which is fed in by the operator through the opening 29 of the housing 23, between the working space SP2, where the opening 29 of the housing 23 is provided, and the supply space SP1, which is separated from the opening 29. In other words, the lifting platform 65 can move (lift) the storage compartment 25 between the storage compartment supply position Mgsp and any mask supply position Mssp1.

[0110] The lifting body 73 rises or falls according to the working direction of the lifting motor 81 (i.e., the rotation direction of the ball screw 79). When the lifting body 73 is in the lowering limit position of the working space SP2 within the housing 23 (i.e., Figure 5 In the case of the storage compartment supply position shown in (a), the operator can place the storage compartment 25 into the housing 23 through the opening 29 and place it on the upper surface of the lifting body 73. In addition, when the lifting body 73 is in the lowering limit position, the operator can remove the storage compartment 25 placed on the lifting body 73 from the opening 29.

[0111] The elevator 65 drives the lifting motor 81 to raise the lifting body 73, which carries the storage compartment 25 placed at the storage compartment supply position. At this time, the elevator 65 adjusts the movement of the lifting body 73 to a predetermined working height Hs at which the delivery mask can be removed from the mask through the opening 71. The predetermined working height Hs can be the height at which the mask moving mechanism 49 can remove the delivery mask stored in the storage compartment 25 via the mask through the opening 71. Figure 5 (b) indicates the state where the mask is fed at the specified working height Hs. It should be noted that the position of the specified working height Hs can be equal to the mask supply position Mssp1.

[0112] <Code Reader, Optical Sensor and QR Code>

[0113] Reference Figure 6 and Figure 7 This is to illustrate the positions of the encoder reader 87, the optical sensor 85, and the QR code 86. Figure 6 This is a partial perspective perspective view showing the positions of the encoder reader 87 and the optical sensor 85 in this embodiment. Figure 7 This is a diagram showing the position of the QR code 86 in the mask 27 of this embodiment.

[0114] like Figure 6 As shown, the optical sensor 85 is positioned in the printing section 13 to illuminate the side of the mask 27 stored in the storage compartment 25 on the printing section 13 side. For example, the optical sensor 85 is positioned so that, when the lifting body 73 carrying the storage compartment 25 is in its lowest position (e.g., the lowest position), it can illuminate the side of the mask 27 stored on the uppermost shelf 26 of the storage compartment 25 on the printing section 13 side. The optical sensor 85 detects whether each shelf 26 of the storage compartment 25 contains a mask 27 by illuminating light and detecting whether there is reflected light.

[0115] like Figure 6 As shown, the encoder 87 is positioned within the printing section 13 to capture images of the side of the mask 27 stored in the storage compartment 25 on the side of the printing section 13. For example, the encoder 87 is positioned so that, with the lifting body 73 housing the storage compartment 25 in its lowest position, it can capture images of the side of the mask 27 stored on the uppermost shelf 26 of the storage compartment 25 on the side of the printing section 13. That is, the encoder 87 and the optical sensor 85 can be positioned at approximately the same height.

[0116] like Figure 7 As shown, on the side of the printing section 13 of the mask 27, and in the state where the mask 27 is stored in the shelf 26, in the X-axis direction, it is parallel to... Figure 6 A QR code 86 is assigned to the position opposite the encoder 87 shown. An example of the QR code 86 is a QR code (registered trademark). In this case, the encoder 87 can be a QR code reader. It should be noted that a barcode can also be assigned to the mask 27 instead of the QR code 86, or a column of uniquely identifiable numbers or text can be assigned to the mask 27. The QR code or barcode can be fixedly attached to the mask 27 by attaching an adhesive strip or similar material with the code printed on it to the side of the mask 27. Alternatively, the QR code or barcode can be fixedly attached to the mask 27 by attaching a magnetic piece with the code printed on it to the side of the mask 27.

[0117] Therefore, by raising the lifting body 73, which carries the storage compartment 25, from its lowest position, the optical sensor 85 can detect the presence or absence of masks 27 on each shelf 26 of the storage compartment 25, and the code reader 87 can read the QR codes 96 on the masks 27 stored on each shelf 26 of the storage compartment 25. It should be noted that the code reader 87 can also be interpreted as a reader capable of reading codes represented by QR codes 86.

[0118] The QR code 86 can be different for each mask 27. The control unit 93 can pre-store information indicating the correspondence between the QR code 86 and the types of masks 27. Thus, by reading the QR code 86 of the mask 27 by the encoder reader 87, the control unit 93 can identify the type of mask 27.

[0119] <Structure of the Control Department>

[0120] Next, refer to Figure 8 The control unit 93 of the printing apparatus 11 in this embodiment will be explained. Figure 8 This is a block diagram showing the control unit 93 of the printing apparatus 11 in this embodiment.

[0121] The control unit 93 of the printing apparatus 11 includes a substrate transport and holding control unit 95, a mask transport and setting control unit 97, a printing action control unit 99, an imaging control unit 101, a mask recognition unit 102, and a lifting control unit 105.

[0122] The control unit 93 is constructed using, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and works in conjunction with the memory (not shown) of the printing unit 13 to perform various processing and control tasks. Specifically, the control unit 93 executes the program by referring to the program and data stored in the memory, thereby realizing the functions of each part.

[0123] The substrate transport and holding control unit 95 transports the substrate KB to a predetermined substrate transport position, and the substrate transport and holding unit 21 holds the transported substrate KB. In addition, if the substrate transport and holding control unit 95 determines, based on the image of the substrate KB captured by the camera 51, that there is a misalignment between the substrate KB held at the predetermined substrate transport position and the mask transport position of the mask 27, it performs alignment of the held substrate KB.

[0124] The mask transport setting control unit 97 controls the mask moving mechanism 49 to retrieve the mask 27 stored in the storage bin 25 (mask delivery) and holds the mask 27 to transport it to the designated mask transport position. Specifically, the mask transport setting control unit 97 performs movement control of the moving base 59 along the Y-axis direction by the moving base drive motor 107, lifting control of the extraction plate 63 by the lifting actuator 61, and tension control of the mask 27 in the mask setting position by the tension-applying working cylinder (not shown).

[0125] The printing motion control unit 99 drives the print head 37 to perform printing motion control of the paste Pst to the substrate KB in contact with the lower surface of the mask 27. Specifically, the printing motion control unit 99 performs movement control of the squeegee base (not shown) along the Y-axis direction by the squeegee base drive motor 109, and lifting control of the squeegee by the squeegee lifting drive unit 111.

[0126] The imaging control unit 101 performs control for the camera 51 to respectively capture images of the upper surface of the substrate KB held by the substrate transport holding unit 21 at a predetermined substrate transport position, and the lower surface of the mask 27 disposed at the mask transport position. Specifically, the imaging control unit 101 performs movement control of the moving base 59 along the Y-axis direction via the moving base drive motor 107, movement control of the camera 51 along the X-axis direction along the moving base 59, imaging control of the upper surface of the substrate KB in the area below the lower imaging camera (not shown) of the camera 51, and imaging control of the lower surface of the mask 27 in the area above the upper imaging camera (not shown) of the camera 51.

[0127] The mask recognition unit 102 controls the optical sensor 85 and the code reader 87 to identify the presence and type of masks 27 in each shelf 26 of the storage compartment 25, and generates mask information 103 within the storage compartment. It should be noted that details regarding the mask information 103 within the storage compartment are described later (see reference). Figure 9 ).

[0128] The elevator control unit 105 drives the elevator body lifting motor 81 to control the lifting and lowering of the storage compartment 25 by the elevator 65.

[0129] As an example of a reporting unit, the touch panel 31 is electrically connected to the control unit 93. The touch panel 31 is a user interface composed of a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Electroluminescence) display device and an input device.

[0130] The touch panel 31 can accept input operations performed by the operator and convert the input operations into electrical signals and output them to the control unit 93 in the printing apparatus 11.

[0131] Next, an example of the mask supply operation steps in the printing apparatus 11 will be described. The operator supplies the storage compartment 25, which contains one or more masks 27 required for screen printing, to the storage compartment mounted on the lifting body 73 of the working space SP2 of the mask changer 15.

[0132] When the operator closes the outer cover after the storage bin supply operation is completed, the control unit 93 drives the elevator 65 via the elevator control unit 105, and the mask recognition unit 102 generates storage bin interior mask information 103 corresponding to the storage bin 25. It should be noted that details regarding the generation and processing of the storage bin interior mask information 103 are described later (see reference). Figure 11 ).

[0133] The control unit 93 raises the storage compartment 25 so that the height of the shelf 26 containing the mask 27 is a predetermined working height Hs corresponding to the mask passing through the opening 71.

[0134] After controlling the rise of the storage compartment 25, the control unit 93 drives the mask moving mechanism 49 to take out the mask through the opening 71 and transport it to the designated mask transport position. Specifically, the control unit 93 drives the moving base drive motor 107 through the mask transport setting control unit 97 to move the moving base 59 backward (to the side of the mask changer 15).

[0135] The control unit 93 engages two mask movement engagement protrusions (not shown) arranged along the X-axis on the upper surface of the pull-out plate 63 mounted on the movable base 59 with two engagement holes (not shown) provided on the front edge side of the feed mask 27 housed in the storage compartment 25.

[0136] With the two mask movement engagement protrusions engaged with the two engagement holes, the control unit 93 drives the moving base drive motor 107 to pull the input mask 27 from the storage compartment 25 through the mask opening 71 into the printing section 13, moving the input mask 27 until it reaches the predetermined mask transport position at the front. Thus, the control unit 93 can remove the input mask 27 from the storage compartment 25 and transport it to the predetermined mask transport position.

[0137] It should be noted that the left and right sides of the feeding mask 27, which is transported by the moving base 59, are guided by a pair of guide steps (guide members) arranged along the front-back direction, and thus are pulled out in a straight forward direction.

[0138] <Mask Information Inside Storage Chamber>

[0139] Reference Figure 9 This is to explain the mask information 103 inside the storage compartment. Figure 9 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the mask information 103 within the storage compartment in this embodiment.

[0140] The mask information 103 in the storage compartment includes information related to the masks 27 stored in each shelf 26 within the storage compartment 25 of the mask changer 15.

[0141] The mask information 103 within the storage compartment includes, as a project, the shelf 26 number, whether the shelf 26 contains a mask 27, and the type of mask contained in the shelf 26. It should be noted that in this embodiment, the shelf 26 is numbered sequentially from top to bottom as 1, 2, 3, ..., but the numbering of the shelf 26 is not limited to this; for example, it can also be numbered sequentially from bottom to bottom as 1, 2, 3, ...

[0142] Figure 9 The first line of the mask information 103 in the storage bin shows that the first shelf 26 (shelf "1") contains a mask 27 (mask presence or absence "yes"), and the type of the mask 27 is "mask A" (mask type "mask A"). Figure 9 The second line of the mask information 103 in the storage compartment shows that the second shelf 26 (shelf "2") does not contain mask 27 (mask presence or absence "no").

[0143] <Mode 1 and Mode 2>

[0144] Reference Figure 10 The first and second modes of this embodiment will be explained below. Figure 10 This is a diagram used to illustrate the relationship between the LED button 19 of this embodiment and the first mode and the second mode.

[0145] like Figure 10 As shown, LED buttons 19 corresponding to the shelves 26 of the storage compartment 25 are provided on the side of the opening 29 for feeding and discharging the mask changer 15 into and out of the storage compartment 25. For example, if there are 10 shelves 26 in the storage compartment 25, 10 LED buttons 19 are provided.

[0146] The LED button 19 indicates the status of the corresponding shelf 26 by turning on, off, or flashing. The control unit 93 has a first mode and a second mode, and the display mode of the LED button 19 can be different depending on the first mode and the second mode. It should be noted that the LED button 19 can also be read as a light-emitting part.

[0147] The first mode is as follows Figure 10 As shown in (a), this is a mode in which all shelves 26 of the storage compartment 25 are used for both the feeding of unused masks 27 and the sending out of used masks 27.

[0148] In the first mode, LED button 19 can indicate the next (A1) to (A3) states.

[0149] (A1) An illuminated LED button 19 indicates that the shelf 26 corresponding to the LED button 19 does not contain the mask 27. Thus, the operator can identify that "the mask 27 can be placed on the shelf 26 corresponding to the illuminated LED button 19".

[0150] (A2) An off LED button 19 indicates that the shelf 26 corresponding to that LED button 19 contains unused masks. Thus, the operator can identify a situation where "nothing needs to be done to the shelf 26 corresponding to the off LED button 19".

[0151] (A3) A flashing LED button 19 indicates that the shelf 26 corresponding to that LED button 19 contains a used mask 27 or a mask 27 containing a failed QR code 86. Thus, the operator recognizes that "the mask 27 on the shelf 26 corresponding to the flashing LED button 19 needs to be removed." It should be noted that after removing the mask 27, the operator presses the flashing LED button 19. The pressed LED button 19 changes from flashing to lit. This allows the control unit 93 to recognize that "the mask 27 has been removed."

[0152] The second mode is as follows Figure 10 As shown in (b), the shelves 26 of the storage compartment 25 are divided into an unused area 88 for receiving unused masks 27 and a used area 89 for receiving used masks 27. For example, the first to sixth shelves from the top are the unused area 88, and the seventh to tenth shelves are the used area 89. In this case, the printing unit 13 sends the used masks 27 to any shelf 26 in the used area 89, but not to the shelf 26 in the unused area 88.

[0153] In the unused area 88 of the second mode, the LED button 19 can be turned on and off in the same way as in the first mode described above.

[0154] In the second mode's used-up area 89, the LED button 19 can indicate the next (B1) to (B2) status.

[0155] (B1) An off LED button 19 indicates that the shelf 26 corresponding to the LED button 19 has not been used and the mask 27 has not been stored. Thus, the operator can identify the situation that "nothing needs to be done to the shelf 26 corresponding to the off LED button 19".

[0156] (B2) A flashing LED button 19 indicates that the shelf 26 corresponding to the LED button 19 contains a used mask 27. Thus, the operator recognizes that "the used mask 27 of the shelf 26 corresponding to the flashing LED button 19 needs to be removed".

[0157] It should be noted that the control unit 93 can also display an operation image on the touch panel 31, etc., indicating the operator's acceptance of the switch between the first mode and the second mode. Additionally, the control unit 93 can also display an operation screen on the touch panel 31, etc., indicating the layer of the shelf 26 used as an unused area 88 or a used area 89 in the second mode.

[0158] In addition, the state of the shelf 26 indicated by the LED button 19 being lit, flashing, or turned off is one example. The LED button 19 being lit, flashing, or turned off can also be used to indicate different states of the shelf 26.

[0159] <Processing flow of the first mode>

[0160] Reference Figure 11 This will be used to explain the processing of the mask recognition unit 102 in the first mode case. Figure 11 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing of the mask recognition unit 102 in the first mode of this embodiment. It should be noted that the processing of the mask recognition unit 102 can also be interpreted as the processing of the control unit 93.

[0161] The mask recognition unit 102 moves the lifting body 73 to an initial position (e.g., the descent limit position) (S11).

[0162] The mask recognition unit 102 substitutes 1 into the variable n (S12).

[0163] The mask recognition unit 102 controls the optical sensor 85 to sense the presence or absence of the mask 27 on the nth shelf 26 (S13).

[0164] The mask recognition unit 102 determines whether a mask 27 exists on the nth shelf 26 based on the detection results of the optical sensor 85 (S14).

[0165] If there is no mask 27 on shelf n 26 (S14: No), the mask recognition unit 102 illuminates the LED button 19 corresponding to shelf n 26 and sets "None" to the item indicating whether a mask is present or absent for shelf n in the mask information 103 of the storage compartment (S15). Then, the mask recognition unit 102 causes the process to proceed to step S22.

[0166] If a mask 27 exists on the nth shelf 26 (S14: Yes), the mask recognition unit 102 controls the code reader 87 to read the QR code 86 assigned to the mask 27 of the nth shelf 26 (S16).

[0167] The mask recognition unit 102 determines whether the QR code 86 has been successfully read (S17).

[0168] If the reading of QR code 86 fails (S17: No), the mask recognition unit 102 causes the LED button 19 corresponding to the nth shelf 26 to flash (S18) and the process proceeds to step S22.

[0169] If the QR code 86 is successfully read (S17: Yes), the mask recognition unit 102 determines whether the mask 27 of the nth shelf 26 is unused (S19). For example, the mask recognition unit 102 determines that the mask 27 that has never been sent to the printing unit 13 is unused, and determines that the mask 27 sent out from the printing unit 13 is used up.

[0170] If the mask 27 of the nth shelf 26 is used up (S19: No), the mask recognition unit 102 causes the LED button 19 corresponding to the nth shelf 26 to flash (S18) and the process proceeds to step S22.

[0171] If the mask 27 on shelf n is not used (S19: Yes), the mask identification unit 102 sets "Yes" to the item indicating whether the mask on shelf n is present or not in the mask information 103 in the storage compartment, and sets the mask category indicated by the QR code 86 to the item indicating the mask category on shelf n (S20). The information indicating the correspondence between the QR code 86 and the mask category can be pre-stored in the memory specified by the control unit 93.

[0172] The mask recognition unit 102 turns off the LED button 19 corresponding to the nth shelf 26 (S21).

[0173] As a step S22, the mask recognition unit 102 determines whether processing has been completed for all shelves 26 within the storage compartment 25 (S22).

[0174] If there are still unprocessed shelves 26 remaining (S22: No), the mask recognition unit 102 increments the variable n by 1 and raises the lifting body 73 by the amount of one shelf 26 (S23). Then, the mask recognition unit 102 returns the processing to step S13.

[0175] If all shelves 26 have been processed (S22: Yes), the mask recognition unit 102 ends the process.

[0176] Through the above processing, information indicating the presence or absence of masks 27 in each shelf 26 within the storage compartment 25 and the mask type is set in the mask information 103 within the storage compartment. The printing unit 13, referring to the mask type in the mask information 103 within the storage compartment, can identify "which shelf 26 in the storage compartment 25 contains which type of mask 27". Therefore, even if the operator stores any type of mask 27 in any shelf 26 of the storage compartment 25, the printing unit 13 can automatically extract the mask 27 of the appropriate type for printing from the storage compartment 25 by referring to the mask information 103 within the storage compartment. In the conventional case where the operator is instructed to store which type of mask 27 in which shelf 26 of the storage compartment 25, errors in mask storage 27 may occur due to the operator. According to this embodiment, since such errors do not occur, work efficiency is improved.

[0177] In addition, by observing the status of the LED buttons 19 corresponding to each shelf 26, the operator can identify the presence or absence of the mask 27 in each shelf 26 of the storage compartment 25 from outside the printing device 11.

[0178] Additionally, the LED button 19 corresponding to the shelf 26 containing the mask 27 whose QR code 86 failed to read or the shelf 26 where the mask 27 has been used flashes, allowing the operator to easily identify the situation where "the mask 27 on the shelf 26 with the flashing LED button 19 can be removed." It should be noted that after removing the mask 27, the operator presses the LED button 19 corresponding to the shelf 26 where the mask 27 was removed. Thus, the control unit 93 can recognize the shelf 26 where the operator removed the mask 27. In this case, the mask recognition unit 102 can change the mask presence / absence status in the mask information 103 in the storage compartment corresponding to the shelf 26 where the mask 27 was removed to "None," and change the mask category to "N / A."

[0179] Additionally, the LED button 19 corresponding to the shelf 26 where the mask 27 is not stored is lit, so the operator can immediately see that "the shelf 26 with the LED button 19 lit can hold the mask 27". Conversely, the LED button 19 corresponding to the shelf 26 containing the unused mask 27 is turned off, so the operator can immediately see that "the mask 27 on the shelf 26 with the LED button 19 turned off does not need to be removed".

[0180] <Processing flow of the second mode>

[0181] Reference Figure 12 This will be used to explain the processing of the mask recognition unit 102 in the second mode. Figure 12 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing of the mask recognition unit 102 in the second mode of this embodiment.

[0182] The mask recognition unit 102 moves the lifting body 73 to an initial position (e.g., the descent limit position) (S31).

[0183] The mask recognition unit 102 substitutes 1 into the variable n (S32).

[0184] The mask recognition unit 102 determines whether the nth shelf 26 belongs to the unused area 88 (S33).

[0185] If shelf number n, 26, belongs to unused area 88 (S33: Yes), mask recognition unit 102 performs... Figure 11 The process shown in steps S13 to S21 is processed (S34), and the process proceeds to step S39.

[0186] If the nth shelf 26 belongs to the used area 89 (S33: No), the mask recognition unit 102 performs the next processing.

[0187] The mask recognition unit 102 controls the optical sensor 85 to sense the presence or absence of the mask 27 on the nth shelf 26 (S35).

[0188] The mask recognition unit 102 determines whether a mask 27 exists on the nth shelf 26 based on the detection results of the optical sensor 85 (S36).

[0189] If a mask 27 exists on the nth shelf 26 (S36: Yes), the mask recognition unit 102 causes the LED button 19 corresponding to the nth shelf 26 to flash (S37), and the process proceeds to step S39.

[0190] If there is no mask 27 on the nth shelf 26 (S36: No), the mask recognition unit 102 turns off the LED button 19 corresponding to the nth shelf 26 (S38) and the process proceeds to step S39.

[0191] As a step S39, the mask recognition unit 102 determines whether processing has been completed for all shelves 26 within the storage compartment 25 (S39).

[0192] If there are still unprocessed shelves 26 remaining (S39: No), the mask recognition unit 102 increments the variable n by 1 and raises the lifting body 73 by the amount of one shelf 26 (S40). Then, the mask recognition unit 102 returns the processing to step S33.

[0193] If all shelves 26 have been processed (S39: Yes), the mask recognition unit 102 ends the process.

[0194] Therefore, in the used-out area 89, the LED button 19 corresponding to the shelf 26 containing the used mask 27 flashes, while the LED button 19 corresponding to the shelf 26 without the used mask 27 is off. Thus, the operator can immediately recognize that "the used mask 27 can be taken out from the shelf 26 corresponding to the flashing LED button 19." It should be noted that after the operator has taken out the used mask 27, they press the LED button 19 corresponding to the shelf 26 where the used mask 27 was taken out. Thus, the control unit 93 can recognize the shelf 26 where the used mask 27 was taken out by the operator. In this case, the mask recognition unit 102 can change the mask presence / absence status in the mask information 103 in the storage compartment corresponding to the shelf 26 where the used mask 27 was taken out to "None," and change the mask category to "N / A."

[0195] (Summary of this disclosure)

[0196] The contents of this disclosure can be presented as follows.

[0197] <Expression 1>

[0198] The printing apparatus 11 of this disclosure includes: a printing unit 13 that prints solder paste onto a substrate KB using a mask 27 having a predetermined printing pattern formed thereon; a reading unit (e.g., an encoding reader 87) capable of reading an encoding (e.g., a QR code 86) assigned to a mask 27 stored in a shelf 26 of a storage compartment 25, the storage compartment 25 having a plurality of shelves 26 capable of storing masks 27; and a control unit 93 that establishes a correspondence between the position of the coded shelf 26 and the information shown by the coded information to generate mask information 103 within the storage compartment.

[0199] Therefore, by referring to the mask information 103 in the storage compartment, the control unit 93 can identify information related to the masks 27 in each shelf 26 of the storage compartment 25.

[0200] <Performance 2>

[0201] In embodiment 1, the printing apparatus 11 may further include: a mask transfer unit (e.g., mask moving mechanism 49) that transfers a mask 27 from the storage compartment 25 to the printing unit 13; and a lifting unit (e.g., lifting body 73) that holds the storage compartment 25 and raises and lowers the storage compartment 25 to a position where the mask transfer unit can extract the mask 27 to be transferred from the storage compartment 25. The control unit 93 raises and lowers the lifting unit and reads the code assigned to the mask 27 stored on each shelf 26 in the storage compartment 25 by the reading unit.

[0202] Therefore, the control unit 93 can utilize the lifting unit of the storage compartment 25 without setting up a new moving mechanism for the reading unit, so that the reading unit can read the code of the mask 27 stored in each shelf 26 of the storage compartment 25.

[0203] <Performance 3>

[0204] In presentation 2, the information shown in the code is information indicating the type of mask 27. Based on the mask information 103 in the storage compartment, the control unit 93 determines the shelf 26 in the storage compartment 25 that contains the type of mask 27 to be used for printing in the printing section 13. The control unit 93 raises and lowers the lifting unit to a position where the mask transfer unit can pull out the mask 27 from the determined shelf 26.

[0205] Therefore, the control unit 93 can refer to the mask information 103 in the storage bin and control the mask transfer unit to automatically extract the mask 27 of the type of mask used for printing from the storage bin 25. As a result, compared with the previous situation where the operator was instructed on which shelf 26 in the storage bin 25 to store which type of mask 27, operator errors in storage do not occur, thus improving work efficiency.

[0206] <Performance 4>

[0207] In embodiment 1, the printing apparatus 11 may also have a light-emitting part (e.g., an LED button 19) corresponding to each shelf 26 of the storage compartment 25, and the control unit 93 controls the light emission of the light-emitting part corresponding to the shelf 26 according to the presence or absence of the mask 27 in the shelf 26.

[0208] Thus, the operator can identify the presence or absence of the mask 27 in the shelf 26 corresponding to the light-emitting part from outside the printing device 11 based on the light emitted by the light-emitting part.

[0209] <Performance 5>

[0210] In embodiment 4, the control unit 93 may illuminate the light-emitting part corresponding to the shelf 26 that does not contain the mask 27, and the control unit 93 may extinguish the light-emitting part corresponding to the shelf 26 that contains the coded mask 27 that has been successfully read.

[0211] Thus, the operator can identify from outside the printing device 11 that "the shelf 26 corresponding to the lit light-emitting part does not contain the mask 27, while the shelf 26 corresponding to the extinguished light-emitting part contains the mask 27 that has been successfully read with a code".

[0212] <Performance 6>

[0213] In embodiment 5, the control unit 93 may cause the light-emitting part corresponding to the shelf 26 containing the mask 27 used after printing to flash.

[0214] Thus, the operator can identify from outside the printing unit 11 that "the shelf 26 corresponding to the flashing light-emitting part stores the mask 27 used after printing".

[0215] <Performance 7>

[0216] In performance 5 or 6, the control unit 93 may cause the light-emitting part corresponding to the shelf 26 that houses the coded mask 27 that failed to read to flash.

[0217] Thus, the operator can identify from outside the printing device 11 that "the shelf 26 corresponding to the flashing light-emitting part stores the coded mask 27 that failed to be read".

[0218] <Performance 8>

[0219] In embodiment 4, the multiple shelves 26 of the storage compartment 25 may be divided into an unused area 88 for storing masks 27 used before printing and a used area 89 for storing masks 27 used after printing. In the unused area 88, the control unit 93 illuminates the light-emitting part corresponding to the shelf 26 where the mask 27 is not stored, and turns off the light-emitting part corresponding to the shelf 26 where the coded mask 27 is successfully read.

[0220] Thus, the operator can identify from outside the printing device 11 that "in the unused area 88, the shelf 26 corresponding to the lit light-emitting part does not contain the unused mask 27, while the shelf 26 corresponding to the extinguished light-emitting part contains the unused mask 27 with the code that was successfully read".

[0221] <Performance 9>

[0222] In performance 8, the control unit 93 may, in the used area 89, turn off the light-emitting part corresponding to the shelf 26 where the mask 27 is not stored, and make the light-emitting part corresponding to the shelf 26 where the mask 27 is stored flash.

[0223] Thus, the operator can identify from outside the printing device 11 that "in the used-out area 89, the shelf 26 corresponding to the extinguished light-emitting part does not contain the used-out mask 27, while the shelf 26 corresponding to the flashing light-emitting part contains the used-out mask 27".

[0224] The embodiments have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but this disclosure is not limited to this example. It is obvious that those skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications, alterations, substitutions, additions, deletions, and equivalents within the scope of the technical solution described above, and will recognize that these also fall within the technical scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, the constituent elements of the above embodiments can be arbitrarily combined without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0225] [Industry Applicability]

[0226] The technology disclosed herein is useful in printing apparatuses capable of using multiple masks.

Claims

1. A printing apparatus, wherein the printing apparatus is provided with: a printing section that prints a solder paste on a substrate using a mask on which a prescribed printing pattern is formed; a reading section that can read a code imparted to the mask housed in a shelf of a storage rack, the storage rack having a plurality of the shelves that can house the mask; a control section that generates storage-rack-within-mask information by associating the position of the shelf on which the code is read with information indicated by the code that is read; and a light-emitting section that corresponds to each shelf of the storage rack, the control section displays, with respect to the shelf that houses the mask used after printing, using the light-emitting section corresponding to the shelf.

2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus is further provided with: a mask transfer section that transfers the mask from the storage rack to the printing section; and a lifting section that places the storage rack and lifts the storage rack to a position at which the mask transfer section can extract a mask to be transferred from the storage rack, the control section causes the lifting section to lift and the reading section to read the code imparted to the mask housed in each shelf of the storage rack.

3. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the information indicated by the code is information indicating the kind of the mask, the control section determines, based on the storage-rack-within-mask information, the shelf in the storage rack that houses the mask of the kind to be used for printing in the printing section, the control section causes the lifting section to lift to a position at which the mask transfer section can extract the mask of the determined shelf.

4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control section controls the light emission of the light-emitting section corresponding to the shelf in accordance with the presence or absence of the mask in the shelf.

5. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the control section causes the light-emitting section corresponding to the shelf that does not house the mask to light up, the control section causes the light-emitting section corresponding to the shelf that houses the mask for which reading of the code has succeeded to turn off.

6. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 5, wherein the control section causes the light-emitting section corresponding to the shelf that houses the mask for which reading of the code has failed to blink.

7. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of shelves of the storage rack are divided into an unused area that houses the mask used before printing and a used area that houses the mask used after printing, the control section performs the following processing in the unused area: causes the light-emitting section corresponding to the shelf that does not house the mask to light up, causes the light-emitting section corresponding to the shelf that houses the mask for which reading of the code has succeeded to turn off.

8. The printing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the control section performs the following processing in the used area: causes the light-emitting section corresponding to the shelf that does not house the mask to turn off, causes the light-emitting section corresponding to the shelf that houses the mask to blink.

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